Creative industries

The creative industries encompass sectors that engage in the production and distribution of goods and services rooted in creativity, culture, and innovation. 

This includes fields like music, film and TV, theatre, video game design and writing. It can also include sectors like advertising and marketing and publishing, but we cover those on other job sector pages.

The UK's creative industries are vital to our economy - they employ over two million people and grow faster than other industries. Its growth over recent years has been driven by a boom in computer services, highlighting the importance of digital creative industries such as video games.

Working in the sector, you'll have the opportunity to pursue practical roles such as actor, games developer or film and video editor, or administrative or managerial jobs like production, marketing and project manager. 

  • Freelancing is common; 43% of people are freelance across the whole sector, 72% of people in music and the visual arts are freelance.
  • It’s a lot more than just big organisations; 90% of creative businesses employ nine or fewer people.
  • Most jobs are in the southeast but the rest of the country is seeing high growth; West Yorkshire's dynamic creative sector has been a national and international success story. Creative industries contribute £2 billion to the region's economy, supporting
  • 48,000 skilled jobs across almost 9,000 businesses. 

Jobs in the creative industries can be competitive meaning work experience, volunteering and industry knowledge are very important. But creative skills are in high demand; 30% of the UK government’s shortage occupation list (jobs deemed to be in low supply in the UK labour market) is made up of creative roles.

Want to find out more? Prospects: Overview of the creative arts sector in the UK

Use of AI in creative industries

AI can be used in design, content creation, music composition, animation, and already has a significant impact on how arts and culture is created and consumed. Questions remain about intellectual property rights, the value attached to the work of creatives, and the status of AI generated works in copyright law.